WARMSTONE

As me and my husband in this picture looked like we look at something at the same time and with the same focus every time, there are actually times that we do not think the same. As in very different vistas separating you from each other like different persons. Well, I may sound stupid because it’s a normal thing but sometimes it’s frustrating when this happens at the most inopportune time when you don’t feel good at all.

Early part of this morning is not good to me, as my mind was racing along with the moving trucks, cars, tricycles, and with many predicaments, aka concerns and thoughts. It was actually enmeshed in all of these. It must be the reason why I forgot to bring my ATM card on my way to the bank and I have to go back to the office. Imagine the stress and the effort to remain calm.

Going back to the office, I was faced again with work and with people God knows I am really trying very hard not to mind. I had to extend my time and do OT. Then I went home. After a few minutes, that’s where it all began. I cannot actually relate what happened but I did not feel very good.

And I should not talk to him. I am not me when I am angry.

Today’s morning radio series of Ariel Ureta and Winnie Cordero is interesting. They have a visitor from the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine. The said representative discussed about their nationwide activities in celebration of National Disability Week. Most of us are not aware of it of course. Except if their activities will be extended to our community then we would be able to know and participate.

What interested me is the institution’s move to change the tag ‘disabled’ to ‘differently-abled’. The representative doctor said that the move aims to elevate the status of individuals with disability. They believe that it will erase the notion that people with handicap do not have the ability and capability to contribute to the society.

Like Ariel, I do not think this will help. Calling them ‘differently abled’ is not like having a KVM switch that would dictate everybody to give respect and consideration to these individuals with disability. Like Ariel, if one is known to be disabled, automatically people will give way and will respect. Though this is not true in all aspects of our society, changing the way we call people with handicap or disability does not change anything.

Somebody sent a text message to Ariel and Winnie which something like this - If disabled is to disability, what would differently-abled be synonymous to?

“What is that?” I asked Kay as I browsed for pics in her folder.

“It’s an old type of camera. A twin lense reflex camera, Ma.” she replied.

My daughter got lazy explaining what a twin lense reflex camera is. So here is some information from Wikipedia:

A twin-lens reflex camera (TLR) is a type of camera with two objective lenses of the same focal length. One of the lenses is the photographic objective (the lens that takes the picture), while the other is used for the waist-level viewfinder system.

Happy hunting to all takers! And for you who is interested, visit Photohunt to read the mechanics.
photohunt

Overprotective was the summary of my being a parent. I know, I know, it sounds inappropriate. But I had the tendency. And perhaps, I still have it.

I did not have a very happy childhood. In fact, I can count those happy moments and my ten fingers are in excess. My childhood life is a candidate for telenovelas only that I do not have the time to submit the story to a radio or tv outfit. And besides, I am a happy mother now. What would be the use? My story is just one of those sad stories. The world actually does not need another with its many woes.

When I was ten, I had this pledge to myself that when I get to be a mother, I will be a better mother than my mother, or a better parent for that matter. I believe I am better. I had given everything sans some material things tagged as luxurious. I worked hard to become a ‘better’ mother. I tried to protect my children from the harsh realities of this world. To be born poor and lacking is not a shield from the pointed shafts of life. It is actually a gateway to everything cruel, mostly abuses and heartaches. So I really have to ward them with all the love and care I can give.

But my children had taught me implicitly and in many ways that I cannot protect them at all times, or be there for them physically all throughout. I had to let loose of the very tight grip. I realized that they have and they use their innate abilities to protect themselves. I did just that growing up in a cruel and sad environ – use my innate abilities. How can they not do that confidently and better than me?

I can only give up to a certain point and that I had to do it good. I had to trust them enough to make them responsible and confident individuals. I have to believe that they will not do anything that can harm them and compromise their person. I have to trust that they are what they say they are – smart enough not to do silly and foolish things.

Though at times and until now I cannot help baby them, openly and wordlessly because they are my precious jewels, I have to accept that they cannot forever be mine. They are the children of this world.

——–

An entry to  Pinoy Parenting Blog Carnival (PPBC) 6th edition.  The challenge asks you - What type of parent are you?

The first time I met him, I was amazed at the eloquence combined with his meztizo features. I perceived him as one of the big time personalities in the company. Later, I learned that he holds one of the key positions. Who would not be impressed upon learning that he is the one who formulates and heads the research and development section?

Later on as months pass by, I became indifferent with this man. I was so annoyed of his indecent remarks and lewd jokes and stories. They were words that do not befit a septuagenarian. He made gestures that seem like ‘passes’ that irked me so much but I tried very hard to control my irritation. I tried to see the good side because he really talked about interesting things, too, and he liked to read, discussing them and giving insights to what he read.

Until the time that I learned that his authority was most of the time bypassed. He was deliberately ignored because he was straight with his principles and he was even considered as radical. The annoyance was replaced by pity. It grew more when I learned that his wife left him in his misery and his children do not take care of him.

Today, he is at home, probably healing from his wound. His lower right hand was cut from the portion below the elbow down. This is because of a small wound that was not taken care of and got infected. (Thanks to his wife and kids who left him all alone doing things on his own!) He is probably healing, too, from disappointment or even depression of what had happened to him.

I am somehow guilty. I should have been kinder. I should have done something for him that he will remember. I should have taken his pictures, for example, and stored them in a micro sd that he can choose to view one day. I should have done more like giving him food when I saw him eating only junk food for lunch. So many ’should haves’ and it’s late…

Did you ever have acne even once in your life? Was there a stage where you encountered this skin disease?

Another look at acne, you have it not because you have poor or wrong diet. You have it not because you have poor hygiene, either. Though this doesn’t mean that cleanliness is not important. Cleanliness will actually help lessen an infection.

Acne is caused by seborrhea, an overproduction of sebum. Sebum is the oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands. When these sebaceous glands become inflamed, blackheads and pimples appear. They become acne.

During puberty, there was a stage where I was acned. They were not even categorized as inflammatory acne. They did not appear red and swelling. But they are acne. It came on and off. Probably because the sebum produced in my face was excessive at one time and on another, very minimal. Nobody thought about acne treatment, not even myself. Perhaps because it was not much a concern for me that time, or because my acne did not really look like acne.

Then it went away just like that. But I cannot be complacent because acne comes at any age. I better watch my sebum reproduction.

Her name is Akiyah. She is Kay’s god daughter and was rushed to the hospital last night. Why? She had accidentally drank kerosene that a grown up in the house had carelessly put in a PET bottle. Akiyah thought that the content of the bottle was mineral water (Her grandfather works in a company that distributes bottled mineral water.) Thinking probably that it is water, little Akiyah drank from the PET bottle.

The poor child is currently confined in the hospital. And it made me angry. How careless are the grown- ups who were living in that house! How could they possibly put kerosene in a PET bottle which to a child the content is safe drinking water? How could they not think that it is not safe so they have to be kept out of reach of little children?

It made me angry that they had put the little child’s life in danger. Add to the fact that the family is penniless and could not even afford to have enough food on the table, much more pay for a funeral insurance or a life insurance. And this is not the first time I felt mad about parents who lost or nearly loose their children because of carelessness. Several news on tv had aired similar incidences and even younger than Akiyah.  Shucks.

Photohunt’s task for today is quite difficult. I cannot find a picture that depicts the theme ’support’ except this one where you can see my daughter atop a structure made to support artists and hold them while they paint the art wall. I cannot recall what this structure is called. It’s like a big seemingly ladder but I really cannot find the word for it.

photohunt

One time a cousin invited me to a party. It was a celebration of his brother’s wedding anniversary. His brother is also close to me but did not personally invite me. Thinking that it is impolite not to go (because his brother had helped me with a lot of things), I went with Papsie to the party since I was told that we (my family, my siblings and me) should go to the party.

After parking and as we got off the car, we immediately saw my cousin (the celebrant) and greeted him. He looked surprised that we were there and was tongue-tied as we approached and greeted him. I felt uneasy. Nevertheless, he asked us to go upstairs to the penthouse where the celebration was held.

I felt embarrassed particularly to my hubby because upon reaching the penthouse, we found that the celebration was almost done. We were asked to help ourselves with the cold food. In fairness, the food was ok and my surprised cousin tried his best to talk to us. The others did as well to entertain and accommodate.

We did not stay long. As we were on our way home, I kept to myself the embarrassment that I felt. It was really uncomfortable to think that he (my hubby) was not treated the way his relatives treated me well during parties and celebrations.

Lessons learned:

• Do not go to a party without a personal invitation from the host.
• Clarify from the person who invited you in behalf of the celebrant if you are expected to come, or if you are really invited.
• Might as well play games with your playstation 3 than go to a party of ‘the relatives’. This is the best way to recreate if you have a game console. If you do not have it then be contented with Freecell, Solitaire or Pinball.

He is SSS’s new president, replacing Corazon dela Paz.

Why not? replied a co-employee. My officemate may have a point in saying that he is brilliant and competent. Read his credentials below:

Education

• MBA, Major in Finance and International Management, Graduate School of Management, University of California in Los Angeles (1977-1979)
• BS Business Administration, Major in Marketing, University of the Philippines, (1966-1970)
  • Magna Cum Laude
  • Class Valedictorian
  • Most Outstanding Senior
  • Most Outstanding Junior
  • University Scholar (8 semesters)
  • Joaquin Pleno Scholar, 1968
  • SEATO Scholar, 1969
  • President, Junior Executive Circle, 1969
  • Editor-in-Chief, Business Viewpoint, 1968
  • Manager, UP College of Business Book Exchange Center, 1968
• High School, Ateneo de Manila High School (1962-1966)
  • Silver Medalist
  • NSDB Gold Medal for Physical Chemistry

Career

• Chairman, Commission on Higher Education (July 2007-present)
• Director General, National Economic Development Authority (February 2006-July 2007)
• Secretary, Department of Budget and Management (July 2005-February 2006)
• Director General, National Economic Development Authority (2002-2005)
• Director-General, Congressional Planning and Budget Office, House of Representatives (1990-2002)
• Associate Professor, Asian Institute of Management - Eugenio Lopez Foundation (1986-1990)
• Associate Professor for Corporate Financial Management, Asian Institute of Management (1986-1990)
• Corporate Planning Manager, Canlubang Sugar Estate, Canlubang Pulp and Manufacturing Corporation, C-J Yulo and Sons, Inc. (1980-1985)
• Assistant Finance Manager (Assistant Treasurer), Philippine National Oil Company, (1979-1980)
• Planning Coordinator, Philippine National Oil Company (1976-1977)
• Planning Coordinator, Luzon Stevedoring Corporation (then affiliated with PNOC) (1975-1976)
• Financial Analyst, Mobil Oil Philippines, Inc. 1973-1975
• Assistant to the President, Riverside Mills Corporation, 1971-1973
• Instructor , College of Business Administration, University of the Philippines, 1970-1971
  • Subject: Basic Management
  • Basic Marketing

Whoa! Who would not be impressed? Who would not say he is not fit for the job?

Why not Neri?

The reasons do not have anything to do with education and accomplishments. It’s his credibility which is in question. It is this capacity for belief that was tarnished because of his involvement to the ZTE scandal and for not standing by his statements against the President, and COMELEC Chairman Abalos for their alleged involvement in the scam.

He is not a credible appointee because many people fear how he can be manipulated. The personality seems to be the antithesis of what he seems to be capable of. A lot of the citizenry is very concerned of what will happen to the SSS funds if somebody like the gullible-looking Neri will take over. To add, the insinuation of that lady from SSS talking to Mr. Ted Faylon this morning over the radio that Ms. Corazon dela Paz was required (probably demanded) to do a favor for a politician has something to do with the decision of replacing her surfaced. Old news to me. This is how the government is being run since day one.

My officemate continued telling me that the case against Neri was not pursued to the higher court so he is not guilty of anything. This is actually a puzzle to me. The lingering question of why he was not held accountable for not standing up against an obvious corruption became a hopeless whisper. What then are the hopes that the SSS funds will be safe? How can we not doubt his statement that every decision in this institution will be coming not from him alone but through the board? When even the higher courts favor him not to speak in the Senate?

This is a very nice topic over beer pong tables. That is if you know how to play beer pong. I don’t. But this is a very nice topic still.

Romulo L. Neri, GMA News Research